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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In approaching this distinction, what is Augustine's first focus in Book One?
(a) On things as things.
(b) On "special gifts."
(c) On original sin.
(d) On sins of omission.

2. What does Augustine reason is the consequence to human teaching if learning comes from Divine gifts?
(a) That Divine gifts work as a validation of human teaching.
(b) That Divine gifts become the standard against which all teaching is measured.
(c) That there is no point to human teaching if learning only comes through Divine gifts.
(d) That human teaching becomes a validation of Divine gifts.

3. What setting does Augustine recommend for sound Scriptural learning?
(a) A private audience with a well-trained Priest.
(b) A properly sanctioned site of Scriptural education.
(c) An ecclesiastical structure.
(d) Human communities.

4. What is the first important distinction that Augustine makes in Book One?
(a) The distinction between the Christian conception of love and the pagan conception of love.
(b) The distinction between learning and teaching.
(c) The distinction between "enjoy" and "use."
(d) The distinction between discovering what Scripture teaches and communicating it.

5. What is the main difference between the system of learning that Augustine advocates and that advocated by the critics he focuses on in the Preface?
(a) Augustine's system requires great expense in accessing the necessary documents of learning whereas the critics allow for the interpretation of the spirit through tongues.
(b) Augustine's system of learning requires study in Greek philosophy whereas the critics require researching copies of manuscripts.
(c) Augustine's system requires study and application of rules whereas the critics believe they can understand through special gifts.
(d) Augustine's system requires finding a qualified Priest to hand down the official teaching of the Church whereas the critics allow free interpretation.

6. What does Augustine claim is the consequence of refusing to learn in a proper setting for Scriptural learning?
(a) The student does not learn from the experience of a learned devotee of Scripture.
(b) The student does not receive access to the types of references that make learning complete.
(c) The student does not benefit from an environment that has been modeled by Scriptural standards.
(d) The student loses the opportunity to participate in mutual love.

7. What doctrine does Augustine introduce to explain how Truth can be seen?
(a) The doctrine of "special gifts of seeing" that God grants when individuals seek eternal truths illuminated by God.
(b) The doctrine of "community vision" is achieved when individuals join their desires to seek eternal truths illuminated by God.
(c) The doctrine of the "inner eye" that can see eternal truths even when tainted by sin because it is illuminated by God.
(d) The doctrine of "things and signs" helps an individual know which things and signs illuminate eternal truths.

8. What is the nature of the second important distinction Augustine identifies in Book One?
(a) A sign is always a thing, but not all things are signs.
(b) Encouragement is an exhortation, but not every exhortation is an encouragement.
(c) Christian love can be found within pagans, but pagan love is antithetical to Christian love.
(d) Everything that is enjoyed is used, but not everything that is used is enjoyed.

9. What should be the nature of the relationship between humans and God according to Augustine?
(a) Humans should become like God.
(b) Humans should submit to God's authority.
(c) God should be enjoyed by humans.
(d) Humans should fear the authority of God over judgment.

10. What is Augustine's attitude toward those who have a "special gift" for interpretation from God?
(a) They are blessed.
(b) Augustine considers himself as one.
(c) God will appoint them to a position of authority.
(d) Such "gifts" were exhausted at Pentecost.

11. What are the two primary reasons that Augustine devotes his time to those questions?
(a) The two commandments of Christianity to love God and to love one's neighbor.
(b) God's omnipotence establishes His authority over creation and judgment.
(c) Because Scriptural infallibility affirms God's role in miracles and prophesy.
(d) The Christian conception of Christ's deity explains His resurrection and authority over forgiveness.

12. With what prediction does Augustine start "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) Christians will transform society through piety and rhetorical skill.
(b) The work will face three kinds of criticism.
(c) Christians will gather around a uniform doctrine.
(d) God will assure that the Church will become the primary social force in the world.

13. How does Augustine characterize the argument that his teaching is not needed because it comes from a human source?
(a) It is intolerant.
(b) It is being heretical.
(c) It is being logically inconsistent.
(d) It is responsible for allowing "babes in the Faith being devoured by the wolves of the world."

14. Of these influences on individual thought, which does Augustine claim Scripture teaches are negative to Christian thought?
(a) A spouse can distract a Christian with the "needs of this world."
(b) A Rabbi can distract a Christian from the "Final Propitiation."
(c) The devil can mislead someone to think that a Christian knows more than they do.
(d) Land owners can convince Christians that the blessings of God are demonstrated through material riches.

15. How does Augustine describe humans?
(a) Humans are things that are subject to the laws of God.
(b) Humans are things that use language as a symbol.
(c) Humans are above things because they use them.
(d) Humans are things that can "enjoy," love and "use" things.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the second important distinction that Augustine makes in Book One?

2. What does Augustine conclude are the only things that can be enjoyed?

3. What comes of loving oneself for reasons other than that which Augustine specified?

4. What are the three things that Augustine claims that interpretations of Scripture should build up?

5. Of these influences on personal thought, which does Augustine claim Scripture teaches can lead a Christian to positive patterns?

(see the answer keys)

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